Headline: Chelsea Showcases Talent Despite Defensive Concerns in Match Against Fulham
The opening stages of this contest confirmed what many had anticipated before a ball had been kicked this term – when Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer, and Morgan Rogers line up for Chelsea, Xabi Alonso has an impressive attacking trio at his disposal.
After a previous campaign marred by fatigue and injuries that ultimately cost him a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s plans for the World Cup this summer, Chelsea playmaker Palmer quickly reminded everyone of his match-winning ability in west London.
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His casual flick set Joao Pedro on his way and his second-half goal highlighted a stellar performance.
While there was evidence that Alonso has made progress in instilling his ideas into the squad, particularly with some clever positional changes leading to their second goal, familiar struggles also emerged.
A lapse in concentration led Levi Colwill to receive a booking, and his rough handling of Josh King soon after was ill-advised for a player already cautioned.
Additionally, questions will arise over Robert Sanchez’s capability as the number one goalkeeper for a club aiming to secure major trophies.
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The 28-year-old Spaniard had already shown signs of inconsistency early in the new campaign, making basic distribution errors that put his team under pressure. His failure to cover his near post allowed King to score an equalizer.
While further mistakes from Colwill and Sanchez contributed to Fulham’s second goal, Alonso benefited from the fact that moments of defensive uncertainty were overshadowed by the quality of Palmer and his teammates at the other end of the pitch.
The opening stages of this contest only confirmed what many had anticipated before a ball had been kicked this term – when Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers line up for Chelsea, Xabi Alonso has an irresistible attacking triumvirate at his disposal.
After his previous campaign was hampered by fatigue and injuries that ultimately cost him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s plans at the World Cup this summer, Chelsea playmaker Palmer delivered an instant reminder of his match-winning talent in west London.
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His nonchalant flick set Joao Pedro on his way and his second-half goal underlined a fine performance.
While there was also evidence that Alonso has been able to impress his ideas on the squad with some neat positional interchanges, notably for their second goal, there were also some familiar failings on show.
A lapse of concentration cost Levi Colwill a booking and his manhandling of Josh King shortly after was inadvisable at best for a player already on a yellow card.
There will also be the inevitable inquest over whether Robert Sanchez is a competent enough number one for a club with aspirations of winning the biggest trophies on offer.
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The 28-year-old Spaniard had already made an unconvincing start to the new campaign with two elementary distribution errors to put his team under unnecessary pressure, when he left a huge gap at his near post to allow King to drive home an equaliser.
While further errors from Colwill and Sanchez contributed to Fulham’s second, fortunately for Alonso, moments of defensive uncertainty were outweighed by the quality of Palmer and co at the other end of the pitch.
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